The right method for a settled peace of conscience, and spiritual comfort in 32…

Object. O but yet he will not save the Graceless?

Answ. True: but he is the more ready to give Grace, that you may be saved. If any of you (mark, any of you) do lack wisdom, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally (without desert) and upbraideth not (with our unworthiness or former faults) and it shall be given him, Jam. 1.4. If you that are evil can give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give his holy Spirit to them that ask it, Luk. 11.13. Suppose your life were in the hands of your own husband, or your children's life in your hands, would it not exceedingly comfort you or them, to consider, whose hands they are in? though yet you had no further Assurance how you should be used? It may be you will say, But God is no Father to the Graceless? I answer: He is not their Father in so near and strict a sense as he is the Father of Believers: but yet a Father he is even ⟨p. 40⟩to the wicked: and to convince men of his Fatherly Mercy to them, he often so stileth himself. He saith by Moses, Deut. 32.6. to a wicked generation, whose spot was not the spot of his children, Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy Father that bought thee? hath he not made thee and established thee? And the Prodigal could call him Father for his encouragement, before he returned to him, Luk. 15.16, 17, 18. For my own part, I must needs profess, that my soul hath more frequent support from the consideration of Gods Gracious and Merciful nature, then from the Promise it self.

Answ. True: but he is the more ready to give Grace, that you may be saved. If any of you (mark, any of you) do lack wisdome, let him ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally (without desert) and upbraideth not (with our unworthiness or former faults) and it shall be given him,